The Virginia Department of Education has created a very usable collection of acceptable internet and technology use policies from schools, colleges, and universities. These are presented along with some general guidelines as to the information that an AUP should contain. Great resource for schools and districts that want to be clear with students, faculty and staff about on-line rights and responsibilities.

View this archived video of teachers and educational technology professionals share what they have learned at the 2014 annual conference of the International Society for Technology in Education in Atlanta. Hear what has inspired them and what they are taking back to share with their own schools. Teachers unable to attend the conference can learn vicariously. This is the archived version of the live webcast from the TeachersFirst booth in the exhibit hall. The ISTE conference typically shares the newest ideas for technology-enhanced learning, often foreshadowing the trends you will see in schools in the next few years.

In the Classroom

Watch to learn the latest in edtech. As you feel inspired, be sure to use TeachersFirst's keyword search to learn more about terms new to you. Watch TeachersFirst's upcoming OK2Ask offeringsfor sessions based on new trends from ISTE. You might even want to watch this recording together with a few teaching colleagues as you plan your own personalized professional development.

View this archived video of teachers and educational technology professionals share what they have learned at the 2014 annual conference of the International Society for Technology in Education in Atlanta. Hear what has inspired them and what they are taking back to share with their own schools. Teachers unable to attend the conference can learn vicariously. This is the archived version of the live webcast from the TeachersFirst booth in the exhibit hall. The ISTE conference typically shares the newest ideas for technology-enhanced learning, often foreshadowing the trends you will see in schools in the next few years.

In the Classroom

Watch to learn the latest in edtech. As you feel inspired, be sure to use TeachersFirst's keyword search to learn more about terms new to you. Watch TeachersFirst's upcoming OK2Ask offerings for sessions based on new trends from ISTE. You might even want to watch this recording together with a few teaching colleagues as you plan your own personalized professional development.

If you are planning a workshop, teacher professional development session, or graduate class featuring TeachersFirst, we will provide TeachersFirst cards and a Thinking Teacher T-shirt (or two) to use as door prizes or incentives. This page tells you how to request materials to hand out and gives you the link to the request form.

Are you new to makerspaces or looking for fresh ideas? Makerspace Lesson Plans is a blog by an elementary school Lead Makerspace Teacher including a variety of lesson plans. Criteria for inclusion of lesson plans includes activities suitable for beginners, divergent outcomes, and use of low-cost items. Select lessons from different categories to download the complete activity in a PDF form. The colorful images clearly demonstrate how to perform the shared activities with students.

In the Classroom

Bookmark this site to include with your makerspace lesson ideas or use it as an excellent starting point to begin makerspaces. Consider using a bookmarking tool such as Pinterest, reviewed here, to find additional lessons and save interesting ideas. As you begin working with students use an interactive whiteboard to have students share thoughts or questions as they begin the process. Have students take pictures of their progress and share in blogs using Telegra.ph, reviewed here. Telegra.ph will create a "quick and easy" blog to be used one time only. A unique URL is provided, and with Telegra.ph you just click on an icon to upload images from your computer, add a YouTube or Vimeo, or Twitter links. It's as easy as using a basic Word program! When finished, have students use a tool like Story Maker, reviewed here, to type a story and draw pictures sharing their makerspace experience.

Use the power of social media to connect with educators around the world with similar interests with EduMatch. Sign up to be the #edtech Person of the Day and enroll in EduMatch. EduMatch also provides podcasts with discussions on educational issues. Access previous podcast archives or view the calendar for upcoming sessions. Previous topics include issues such as encouraging colleagues to take risks with technology and educator perspectives on grading policies.

In the Classroom

EduMatch is an excellent resource for professional development sessions. Search the site to find topics of interest and listen to the session together as a staff to begin your discussions. Follow EduMatch users on Twitter to include as part of your PLN.

In the Classroom

Use FreeComputerBooks as the latest information for all of your computer technology classes. Find information on careers for your career day. Let all your techies run free and digest all the latest computer information. For yourself, FreeComputerBooks can inspire and educate advanced techies!

Comments

Great resource with tons of free ebooks. Googling for free computer ebooks also led me to http://freecomputerbooks.pickatutorial.comRaja, NY, Grades: 0 - 12

At Lulu you or your students can publish (and sell) your writing. Older students can publish their poems, short stories, current event articles, persuasive writing for an issue they are into... for free. Consider having your students write novels for National Novel Writing Month, and at Lulu they will be able to publish them. Lulu offers a simple, publishing process with just a few steps: Register, start the publishing wizard, upload your file, design your cover, complete your cover; set your price and publish. Once you have registered, you'll receive a welcome letter with a link to a "How to Publish a Book on Lulu" video.This site includes advertising.

In the Classroom

Use Lulu to publish a class book of short stories or poems. Since the books have to be sold to view, you could use this as a class or school fund raiser. Parents could buy the books as gifts for grandparents, aunts and uncles, etc.
Older students can write novels for National Novel Writing Month, and at Lulu they will be able to publish them.

In the Classroom

Keep this bookmarked for a variety of ideas to update your curriculum continually to keep it fresh and intriguing. The technology tutorials can teach old dogs new tricks, or also help young dogs find new tricks. Allow your students to choose from a variety of project ideas for their highest level of motivation. Add as a resource on your web site for fun sites for your students to explore. Use many tools given in tutorials to make your presentations sizzle, for students, teachers, or other audiences. Challenge gifted students with brainteasers, puzzles, accelerated curriculum, or ACT/SAT prep.

Share a number of URL's easily with just one link. Simply enter a title, enter the URL's, and click "Create Link." BridgeURL makes it easy to share the URL's.

In the Classroom

Create a simple link with this free resource. No sign up is required for use. Use the sliders in the two sections to navigate between the links. Hover the mouse over sections to see the 'Next' or 'Previous' link. Click on the box icon on the top of the slider to open the link in a new page. Use BridgeURL for anytime that many links need to be shared such as for projects, research, or webquests.

This site explains the meanings of the great variety of lexile scores found with some books. The search feature allows teachers to check to see if any particular book has a lexile rating, and if so, what it is. The site also compares lexile ratings and grade levels. It also has seasonal booklists and other helpful information for educators about choosing appropriate books. Students can use this site to find books for independent reading.

In the Classroom

Add this site to your classroom bookmarks. Students can use this site to find books for independent reading. Use this site to check for ease in reading for ESL and foreign language students. SPED teachers can use this site by searching by Lexile level.

Discover a visual search engine that pulls in latest sites of today related to any topic, from professional to curriculum-specific. Enter your own search terms in the box at top right. See a map of the latest new sites. Use this site without registering, or register to customize the results. Education Eye maps the innovations and displays these visually. Once registered, view your history, a custom login page and widget, and receive email newsletters.

In the Classroom

Stay current in the latest ideas, technologies, and pedagogy around the globe. Be sure to save this one in your favorites. Share a result on your projector or interactive whiteboard to spark interest in real world topics related to your current unit of study.